84 research outputs found
Diurnal and spatial variations of radon and its influence on ionization of the nearground atmospheric layer
The most abundant and efficient source of air ionization in the lower layer of the atmosphere is radon. As an alpha emitter, radon plays cruciant role in the earth atmospheric electricity. Besides physical, radon and ions have a significant biological role concerning human health: radon is health hazard while the ions are beneficial ingredient of the air we breathe. Measurements were made using continual radon monitor Rad-7 and air ion counter CDI-06. Diurnal and spa¬tial variations of both atmospheric constitutens are mutually related and dependant mo¬stly on radon exhalation potential, meterological parameters, aerosol con¬cen-tra¬ti¬on and formation of temperature inversion layer. Indoor concentrations are re¬la¬ted to radon accumulation and partiallz influenced by external radon concentratio
Annual and seasonal variations of indoor radon concentration in Skopje (Republic of Macedonia)
This paper presents the results of a survey of indoor radon concentrations in the dwellings of 10 Municipalities in the Skopje: the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Macedonia (600 000 habitants). The indoor radon concentrations were measured during the four successive seasons from December 2008 to December 2009 using integrating passive alpha track-etch detectors with an exposure period of three months. The annual mean indoor radon concentration in each measuring site was estimated as an arithmetic mean from the four individual measurements.
The measurements were completed for 124 dwellings, of which 112 dwellings revealed indoor radon concentrations lower than 200 Bq m−3, and 3 showed radon concentrations in excess of 400 Bq m−3. The annual mean indoor radon concentrations were found to be log-normally distributed, ranging from 18 to 502 Bq m−3. The geometric mean value of the indoor radon concentration in Skopje region was estimated to be 83*/1.94 Bq m−3. The results of analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences among annual mean values of the indoor radon concentrations of among the different municipalities (p=0.021).
The influence of the factors linked to building characteristics in relation to the annual mean of indoor radon concentration was also a subject to examination. The factors which allow differentiation into subgroups (significance level p<0.05) were: the floor level (p<0.0001), presence of basement (p<0.0001), and type of heating (p=0.004). Seasonal dependence of indoor radon concentration was observed. The minimum indoor radon concentrations were found in the summer season whereas maximum levels were observed in the winter season (p< 0.0001)
Active and passive radon concentration measurements and first-step mapping in schools of Banja Luka, Republic of Srpska
Radon concentration measurements were performed in all 25 primary schools in Banja Luka city, the capital of Republika Srpska, during 2011 and 2012, using both active RAD7 continual radon measuring instruments and CR-39 passive (commercially known as Gamma) detectors. The two complimentary methods were employed not only to obtain annual averages, but also to study the dynamics of radon concentration changes during the week. For each school, average and temporal variations of radon concentrations were analysed, taking into consideration local geology, building materials and meteorological conditions. The influence of forced ventilation, caused by frequent opening of doors and windows during working hours, with typical dawn and weekend peaks is evident in most but not all schools. Elevated levels of radon concentration (>400 Bq m-3) were found in a few schools using both methods. Although high correlation factor of 0.8 between passive and active methods was found, still short-time (one-week) measurements cannot be used for annual estimation of radon activity but screening one. Thus, the conclusion concerns only long time measurements as valid indicator of annual radon activity.JRC.E.8-Nuclear securit
First Evolution of Radon Concentrations Spatial Distribution based on the geological parameters and multiple linear regression method in schools of Sjenica community, Western Serbia (Balkan area)
Purpose: The paper deals with the analysis of radon survey in 34 schools
over Sjenica community, in West Serbia, aiming at systematically continuation
of previously performed surveys
(2008-2010)
in the 340 schools
in
South
Serbia,
as
the project
activities
(Serbian
Ministry
of
Education
Since
and Technical Development) considering
optimization of
the
design of a national survey and improving the knowledge of radon distribution
in Serbia. In addition , the results of this survey triggered, based
on
Sjenica (Pestar)
region complex geology and measured annual Rn
concentrations,
an attempt of
the
explanation
of radon
spatial
variation
in Sjenica community by multivariable linear regression (MLR) method in
total of 36 public buildings investigated (beside schools, the kindergarten
and meterological station).
Argumatation: Schools are workplaces which are subject to Rn regulations
(EC 2014,BSS).Among other, the
BSS require
establishing reference
levels
for long-term
indoor
Rn
concentration,
not
exceeding
300
Bq/m3
for
both
dwellings
and workplaces.
The
36
public buildings were surveyed
the whole
year
in
the Sjenica
community in
West Serbia
by long
term
measurements
with CR-39 detectors (commercially
named Gamma
1, Landaurer, Sweden).
Sjenica community is
the largest
community
of
1059 km2
surface in Serbia and it was found that indoor radon
(Rn)
lower
than 100 Bq/m3 are most probable and although with lower probability,that
Rn higher
than
action
level
of 300
Bq/m3could occur
in
14%
of
the
buildings , indicating potential of the
investigated
area as high
natural
background
area.
The
highest
measured
indoor
Rn
concentration
was 1130 Bq/m3.
Conclusion: The predictive model was developed, in order to determine
how geological parameters best merge to explain the indoor radon
concentrations. The results of this investigation highlight that it is possible
to predict indoor radon concentrations using the geological data to an
acceptable level of accuracy with a limited number of measurements.
There is potential of the investigated area as high natural background
area
Some results of a radon survey in 207 Serbian schools
In this paper the results of radon concentration measurements performed in 207 schools in 7 communities of Southern Serbia are presented. The annual radon concentration varied from 17 Bqm-3 to 428 Bq m-3 with a median value of 96 Bq m-3. The arithmetic mean (AM) of the 207 annual averages was 118 Bq m-3 with a standard deviation (SD) of 78 Bq m-3. The best distribution fitting of radon concentration by log-normal function was obtained. The log-normal parameters are the following: geometric mean (GM) = Bq m-3, geometric standard deviation (GSD) = 1.9. In addition, a spatial distribution of the indoor radon concentration over the investigated areas is observed.JRC.E.8-Nuclear securit
Case study in schools of Eastern Macedonia: factors affecting radon concentrations
Purpose: This paper presents indoor radon concentrations, impact factors
and
potential
sources
in
29
schools in
the
Eastern
part
of
Republic
of
Macedonia.
Argument: The radon concentrations were measured with nuclear track
detectors exposed in two ground floor rooms of each school in period
of one school year semester starting from January and to June in 2016.
The radon concentrations in 3 of 56 rooms exceed the National action
level. The geometric mean value of measured radon concentrations for
all rooms was 96 Bq/m3; GSD=2.47. There was no correlation between
radon and location altitude. Also, no effect of type of room and type of
windows on radon concentration was found. Ground floor buildings and
buildings with one floor had higher radon concentrations, than buildings
with two floors. The radon concentration in building without basement
was higher than that in buildings with basement, as well as higher in
stone buildings than brick buildings. Relation between radon concentration
and
lithostratigrafic
units
was
confirmed.
The
highest
radon
concentration
was obtained on locations with andesite and breccia bed rock.
Conclusion: The impact level of each of the examined factors on radon
variations were quantified by a determination factor (R2) The highest R2
value was related with factor: basement. Тhe individual factor effect
on radon variation as well as explanations of the obtained results are
discussed in this pape
Field Investigations on Radon, Thoron and Penetrating Environmental Radiation in Several Regions of the Western Balkan Countries
Determination of depleted uranium in environmental biomonitor samples and soil using thermal ionization mass spectrometry
A comparison of human exposure to natural radiation and DU in parts of the Balkan region
A comparison of human exposure to natural radiation and DU in parts of the Balkan region
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